Martinez Canyon AZ
08-02-2005, 01:32 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Martinez Canyon AZ
Had a 'best ever' trip this weekend with Westy44Runner, and two mutual friends. We left Friday night for Martinez cabins, where we would spend the night camping out in our trucks. It was kind of spooky being out there by those old cabins, looks like a horror movie camp at night.
We made it through the night, had breakfast and then were entertained by some country flute before hitting the trail.
The trail quickly becomes challenging. Despite having seen pictures of several obstacles in the past we were still surprised at how much bigger they look in real life.
This pose wasn't quite intended.
You can see the rock crusher processing mill in the background. Several 4x4 quads made it to the mill and then turned around because they didn't have adequate clearance for the rocks.
I got stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place and needed a quick tug to get over this rock.
We made it through the night, had breakfast and then were entertained by some country flute before hitting the trail.
The trail quickly becomes challenging. Despite having seen pictures of several obstacles in the past we were still surprised at how much bigger they look in real life.
This pose wasn't quite intended.
You can see the rock crusher processing mill in the background. Several 4x4 quads made it to the mill and then turned around because they didn't have adequate clearance for the rocks.
I got stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place and needed a quick tug to get over this rock.
08-02-2005, 01:47 PM
#2
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Continued...
Next, came the spot Brian had been talking about for days. The fabled "YELLOW BELLY LEDGE" 
Well I took one look and decided I'm not quite equipped yet for this caliber of an obstacle. I went around (I've been called worse things). Brian decided to put the Armadillo in "Marlin Mode" and aim for the tip, uh-- I mean top.
He was really looking good but then things went bad real quick. If he had a front locker he very well could have made it up. We secured his truck and then got him out safely. I pulled the armadillo back over on all fours and then we winched the truck up the rest of the way. He is very fortunate that he didn't roll into the large crevass. The only damage was a hair crack in the tail light and a small dent in the bottom of his fender.
After this, the trail climbs up the mountain past Columbia and Silverbell mines which had some very well preserved tunnels. At the top the views were spectacular.
The 'Luge' section has been washed out to mammoth proportions, being at least 12' deep. The steep bypass section was a controlled slide down but wasn't really that scary. The cabins are at the bottom of the hill, our total time on the trail was about 7 hours. An awesome trip by any standard.
Well I took one look and decided I'm not quite equipped yet for this caliber of an obstacle. I went around (I've been called worse things). Brian decided to put the Armadillo in "Marlin Mode" and aim for the tip, uh-- I mean top.
He was really looking good but then things went bad real quick. If he had a front locker he very well could have made it up. We secured his truck and then got him out safely. I pulled the armadillo back over on all fours and then we winched the truck up the rest of the way. He is very fortunate that he didn't roll into the large crevass. The only damage was a hair crack in the tail light and a small dent in the bottom of his fender.
After this, the trail climbs up the mountain past Columbia and Silverbell mines which had some very well preserved tunnels. At the top the views were spectacular.
The 'Luge' section has been washed out to mammoth proportions, being at least 12' deep. The steep bypass section was a controlled slide down but wasn't really that scary. The cabins are at the bottom of the hill, our total time on the trail was about 7 hours. An awesome trip by any standard.
08-02-2005, 06:23 PM
#7
Contributing Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That is an awesome trail.
I made it up Yellow Belly in my 98, after Schaefer got me on the right line.
Looks like you guys didnt take the right line, you shouldnt have almost rolled it.
Pics look great and the commentary fits well.
I can't wait to go back there, it's a hell of a trail.
I made it up Yellow Belly in my 98, after Schaefer got me on the right line.
Looks like you guys didnt take the right line, you shouldnt have almost rolled it.
Pics look great and the commentary fits well.
I can't wait to go back there, it's a hell of a trail.
Trending Topics
08-02-2005, 06:46 PM
#8
Contributing Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Santee, CA
Posts: 2,724
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My wife and I keep thinking about moving out there...seeing pics of places like that motivate me.
When I lived there I had my old Pathfinder and did trails up near 4 peaks, Schnebbley Hill/ Sedona, and even a couple up near the Rim. But I never saw terrain like that.
When I lived there I had my old Pathfinder and did trails up near 4 peaks, Schnebbley Hill/ Sedona, and even a couple up near the Rim. But I never saw terrain like that.
08-02-2005, 07:52 PM
#10
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: AZ
Posts: 976
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Martinez is a great trail...with awesome scenery, some of the best in AZ. It definitely rivals Sedona...
Nitro - I had what I thought was the best line for my truck, it was real tough to get it lined up though with 113 inch wheelbase. My rear spool with open front turned out to be a bad combo, I needed the pull of a front locker rather than the push and digging into the sand my rear end was providing. Although, I would like to tackle Martinez again with someone that has done yellow belly before and see what line is optimal.
I ended up taking moderately left line, hitting the wall with both front tires at the same time, with my passenger tire aiming for the ridge up the right side, but my rear end begun to pull around to the left side pulling me into the deeper end..
all in all great trip...cant wait for the weather to cool off.
Nitro - I had what I thought was the best line for my truck, it was real tough to get it lined up though with 113 inch wheelbase. My rear spool with open front turned out to be a bad combo, I needed the pull of a front locker rather than the push and digging into the sand my rear end was providing. Although, I would like to tackle Martinez again with someone that has done yellow belly before and see what line is optimal.
I ended up taking moderately left line, hitting the wall with both front tires at the same time, with my passenger tire aiming for the ridge up the right side, but my rear end begun to pull around to the left side pulling me into the deeper end..
all in all great trip...cant wait for the weather to cool off.
Last edited by westy44runner; 08-02-2005 at 07:56 PM.
08-02-2005, 10:29 PM
#11
Contributing Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by westy44runner
Martinez is a great trail...with awesome scenery, some of the best in AZ. It definitely rivals Sedona...
Nitro - I had what I thought was the best line for my truck, it was real tough to get it lined up though with 113 inch wheelbase. My rear spool with open front turned out to be a bad combo, I needed the pull of a front locker rather than the push and digging into the sand my rear end was providing. Although, I would like to tackle Martinez again with someone that has done yellow belly before and see what line is optimal.
I ended up taking moderately left line, hitting the wall with both front tires at the same time, with my passenger tire aiming for the ridge up the right side, but my rear end begun to pull around to the left side pulling me into the deeper end..
all in all great trip...cant wait for the weather to cool off.
Nitro - I had what I thought was the best line for my truck, it was real tough to get it lined up though with 113 inch wheelbase. My rear spool with open front turned out to be a bad combo, I needed the pull of a front locker rather than the push and digging into the sand my rear end was providing. Although, I would like to tackle Martinez again with someone that has done yellow belly before and see what line is optimal.
I ended up taking moderately left line, hitting the wall with both front tires at the same time, with my passenger tire aiming for the ridge up the right side, but my rear end begun to pull around to the left side pulling me into the deeper end..
all in all great trip...cant wait for the weather to cool off.
I think I'll be heading back out there in January. Going to run martinez, upper woodpecker and lower terminator most likely.
08-02-2005, 11:42 PM
#12
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for all the kind words.
I was very impressed with Martinez Canyon. I believe that this area is one of the hidden treasures of Arizona. There are trails for all caliber of offroaders and always some structure or old mine to check out.
I'm going to be working on a video of this trip soon, which will for sure show Brian rolling if anybody wants to check it out. Just check back in a week or so.
I was very impressed with Martinez Canyon. I believe that this area is one of the hidden treasures of Arizona. There are trails for all caliber of offroaders and always some structure or old mine to check out.
I'm going to be working on a video of this trip soon, which will for sure show Brian rolling if anybody wants to check it out. Just check back in a week or so.
Last edited by benman; 08-02-2005 at 11:43 PM.
08-03-2005, 10:10 AM
#15
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: AZ
Posts: 976
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kyle - yeah (Ben) benman is also known as Ansel Adams...he may as well have a camera glued to his forehead. He stops every 2 miles for a picture... 
I cant complain however as he always gets great shots.
Martinez Canyon is located in AZ, nearby Florence, AZ which is just outside PHX area.
I cant complain however as he always gets great shots.
Martinez Canyon is located in AZ, nearby Florence, AZ which is just outside PHX area.
Last edited by westy44runner; 08-03-2005 at 10:15 AM.
08-03-2005, 11:20 AM
#17
Contributing Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Tempe, Arizona
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Nitro Hotpants
I think I'll be heading back out there in January. Going to run martinez, upper woodpecker and lower terminator most likely.
08-03-2005, 11:24 AM
#18
Contributing Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Tempe, Arizona
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by benman
Next, came the spot Brian had been talking about for days. The fabled "YELLOW BELLY LEDGE"
Well I took one look and decided I'm not quite equipped yet for this caliber of an obstacle. I went around (I've been called worse things). Brian decided to put the Armadillo in "Marlin Mode" and aim for the tip, uh-- I mean top.
He was really looking good but then things went bad real quick. If he had a front locker he very well could have made it up. We secured his truck and then got him out safely. I pulled the armadillo back over on all fours and then we winched the truck up the rest of the way. He is very fortunate that he didn't roll into the large crevass. The only damage was a hair crack in the tail light and a small dent in the bottom of his fender.
Well I took one look and decided I'm not quite equipped yet for this caliber of an obstacle. I went around (I've been called worse things). Brian decided to put the Armadillo in "Marlin Mode" and aim for the tip, uh-- I mean top.
He was really looking good but then things went bad real quick. If he had a front locker he very well could have made it up. We secured his truck and then got him out safely. I pulled the armadillo back over on all fours and then we winched the truck up the rest of the way. He is very fortunate that he didn't roll into the large crevass. The only damage was a hair crack in the tail light and a small dent in the bottom of his fender.
I can even go up and down that thing all day with my Drag Slick Yokohama's, oh and one other thing, without a front locker you don't have a prayer in hell.
08-03-2005, 12:01 PM
#19
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by sschaefer3
Well, that is completely the wrong line. You need to be over more to the left. Basically what you do is line the front drivers side tire up with the very highest point to the left and it will go right up, if you don't, your not going up.
I can even go up and down that thing all day with my Drag Slick Yokohama's, oh and one other thing, without a front locker you don't have a prayer in hell.
I can even go up and down that thing all day with my Drag Slick Yokohama's, oh and one other thing, without a front locker you don't have a prayer in hell.
And Kyle, Martinez Canyon is halfway between Florence and Superior, AZ if you were to draw a straight line between them.
Last edited by benman; 08-03-2005 at 12:06 PM.
